By Tim Douglas 
The Hobart Hurricanes enter the 2024-25 Big Bash League (BBL) season determined to break their title drought. Despite being a competitive team for years, they remain one of only two BBL franchises yet to win a title. With some shrewd acquisitions and a familiar core, the Hurricanes are keen to rewrite their history.
Captain: Nathan Ellis
Coach: Jeff Vaughan
Squad Overview of Hobart Hurricanes in BBL 2024-25
Batting Line-Up:
- Shai Hope (overseas, WI)
- Matthew Wade (wicketkeeper)
- Ben McDermott
- Caleb Jewell
- Tim David
- Nikhil Chaudhary (overseas, IND)
- Jake Doran
- Charlie Wakim
- Mitch Owen
- Mac Wright
Allrounders:
- Nathan Ellis (Captain)
- Chris Jordan (overseas, ENG)
Bowlers:
- Riley Meredith (pace)
- Billy Stanlake (pace)
- Peter Hatzoglou (leg-spin)
- Waqar Salamkheil (overseas, AFG – left-arm wrist-spin)
- Paddy Dooley (left-arm orthodox)
- Iain Carlisle (pace)
How They Stack Up
The Hurricanes have reinforced their batting with the acquisition of Shai Hope, a proven international performer, to solidify their top order. His presence will help alleviate pressure on senior batters Matthew Wade and Ben McDermott, who struggled with consistency last season. Nikhil Chaudhary returns as a promising middle-order powerhouse following a breakout campaign.
Their bowling looks formidable, led by captain Nathan Ellis and featuring speedsters Riley Meredith, Billy Stanlake, and England’s Chris Jordan. In the spin department, they replaced Rishad Hossain (unavailable due to Bangladesh Premier League) with Afghanistan’s left-arm wrist-spinner Waqar Salamkheil, adding a potent option alongside Peter Hatzoglou and Paddy Dooley.
Player to Watch: Tim David
Tim David had a disappointing 2023-24 season, scoring only 112 runs with a strike rate of 134.94 — below his usual high-impact standards. Following underwhelming international performances, David needs a strong BBL season to reassert himself as Australia’s go-to T20 finisher. His explosive hitting in the death overs could make or break the Hurricanes’ campaign.
Strengths of Hobart Hurricanes BBL in 2024-25:
- Balanced Batting: With Shai Hope, Wade, McDermott, and Tim David, the Hurricanes have both anchors and finishers.
- Varied Bowling Attack: Pace, swing, and spin options offer flexibility across different conditions.
- Overseas Talent: Hope, Jordan, and Salamkheil are world-class operators.
Challenges:
- Availability Issues: Overseas stars like Hope and Salamkheil are available only for limited stretches.
- Top-Order Dependence: Previous seasons have shown the team can collapse when their top three fail.
- Fitness Concerns: Injury-prone pacers like Meredith and Stanlake need to stay fit.
Availability Updates:
- Shai Hope: Will miss the early stages due to West Indies’ series against Bangladesh but will play a block of matches before leaving for the ILT20.
- Waqar Salamkheil: Available for the first six matches before departing for the Dubai league.
- Chris Jordan, Matthew Wade, Peter Hatzoglou: Available until the ILT20 starts.
Prediction: Contenders or Pretenders?
The Hurricanes have built a well-rounded squad with match-winners across disciplines. If their key players remain injury-free and they navigate player unavailability effectively, they could finally break their BBL title drought. Expect them to be serious contenders for a top-four finish in BBL 2024-25.
Zainab Shafiq